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Posted October 6, 2012 04:07 pm - Updated October 6, 2012 06:50 pm

Associated Press

U.S. Rep Paul Broun calls evolution lie 'from the pit of hell'

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun

ATHENS, Ga. — U.S. Rep. Paul Broun said in videotaped remarks that evolution, embryology and the Big Bang theory are “lies straight from the pit of hell” meant to convince people that they do not need a savior.

The Georgia Republican lawmaker made those comments during a speech Sept. 27 at a sportsman’s banquet at Liberty Baptist Church in Hartwell. Broun, a medical doctor who represents Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, is running for re-election in November unopposed by Democrats.

“God’s Word is true,” Broun said, according to a video posted on the church’s Web site. “I’ve come to understand that. All that stuff I was taught about evolution and embryology and Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of hell. And it’s lies to try to keep me and all the folks who are taught that from understanding that they need a savior.”

Broun also said that he believes the Earth is about 9,000 years old and that it was made in six days. Those beliefs are held by fundamentalist Christians who believe the creation accounts in the Bible are literally true.

Broun spokeswoman Meredith Griffanti told the Athens Banner-Herald that the congressman, whose district includes part of Columbia County, was recorded speaking off-the-record to a church group about his religious beliefs. He sits on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

It seems unlikely that Broun’s remarks were supposed to be private. The banquet was advertised; Broun spoke before an audience; and the video of his remarks was posted on the church’s Web site.